Article I: Name

Section 1: The Name of this organization shall be Taunton Youth Soccer League, Inc.

Section 2: The Place of Business of this League shall be located within the City of Taunton.

Article II: Objects And Purposes

Section 1: The Objects and Purposes of Taunton Youth Soccer League, Inc. shall be to foster, promote, engage in, and develop the Game of Soccer among the youth within the City of Taunton.

Section 2: All of the articles set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Taunton Youth Soccer League shall together define the pursuit of the goals of this Organization.

Article III: Officers and Directors

Section 1: The Officers of the Taunton Youth Soccer League shall consist of the following:
1. President (cf. Art. IV)
2. Vice-President (cf. Art. V)
3. Director of Middle School Division (cf. Art. VI)
4. Director of Girls Division (cf. Art. VII)
5. Director of Intermediate Division (cf. Art. VIII)
6. Director of Elementary Division (cf. Art. IX)
7. Director of Pee-Wee Division (cf. Art. X)
8. General Secretary (cf. Art. XI)
9. Recording Secretary (cf. Art. XII)
10. Treasurer (cf. Art. XIII)
11. Registrar (cf. Art. XIV)
12. Spring Season Director (cf. Art. XV)
13. Education Coordinator (cf. Art. XVI)
14. Equipment Manager (cf. Art. XVII)
15. two Fields Managers. (cf. Art. XVII)

Section 2: The Board of Directors of the Taunton Youth Soccer League (hereinafter also referred to as "the Board") shall consist of Officers and Directors described in Article III Section 1.

Section 3: Any officer may, at her/his discretion, solicit and appoint one or more assistants to aid in the effective fulfillment of her/his divisional or league duties. While not voting members of the Board, any such assistants will be invited to Board meetings and encouraged to offer their input.

Article IV: President

Section 1: The President shall have the ordinary duties of presiding at all meetings. The President may cast the deciding vote when a tie occurs, though s/he may also waive this right.

Section 2: The President shall appoint all committees, as needed. The President shall appoint an Auditing Committee each year, to inspect the Treasurer's books and to certify the financial report.

Section 3: The President shall insure that the appropriate Directors schedule all games before the beginning of each playing season.

Section 4: The President shall submit, at each annual meeting of the League, a report on the League's operation.

Section 5: The President shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and by the By-Laws.

Section 6: The President shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article V: Vice-President

Section 1: The Vice-President shall perform all of the duties assigned by the President and also perform all duties of the President during the absence of the President.

Section 2: The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Vice-President shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article VI: Director of Middle School Div.

Section 1: The Director of Middle School Division shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties, and, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President, and the General Secretary shall perform all the duties of the President and such other duties as the Board of Directors may designate. The Director of Middle School Division shall schedule all Middle School Division regular and postponed games.

Section 2: The Director of Middle School Division shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Director of Middle School Division shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article VII: Director of Fall Girls Division

Section 1: The Director of Fall Girls Division shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties, and, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President, the General Secretary, and the Director of Middle School Division, shall perform all the duties of the President and such other duties as the Board of Directors may designate. The Director of Fall Girls Division shall schedule all Fall Girls Division regular and postponed games.

Section 2: The Director of Fall Girls Division shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Director of Fall Girls Division shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article VIII: Dir. of Intermediate Division

Section 1: The Director of Intermediate Division shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties. The Director of Intermediate Division shall schedule all Intermediate Division regular and postponed games.

Section 2: The Director of Intermediate Division shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Director of Intermediate Division shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article IX: Director of Elementary Div.

Section 1: The Director of Elementary Division shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties. The Director of Elementary Division shall schedule all Elementary Division regular and postponed games.

Section 2: The Director of Elementary Division shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Director of Elementary Division shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article X: Director of Pee-Wee Div.

Section 1: The Director of Pee-Wee Division shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties. The Director of Pee-Wee Division shall schedule all Pee-Wee Division regular and postponed games.

Section 2: The Director of Pee-Wee Division shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The Director of Pee-Wee Division shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XI: General Secretary

Section 1: The General Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the League. The General Secretary shall issue notices for all meetings; conduct all correspondence of the league and keep its records, which records and correspondence shall be open to inspection by members at all reasonable times.

Section 2: The General Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and the By-Laws.

Section 3: The General Secretary shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XII: Recording Secretary

Section 1: The Recording Secretary shall record minutes of all meetings of the League and forward a copy of said minutes to every Board member at least one week prior to the next meeting.

Section 2: The Recording Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and By-Laws.

Section 3: The Recording Secretary shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XIII: Treasurer

Section 1: The Treasurer shall collect all fees, moneys due the League from every source, and pay all bills properly passed by the Board and/or approved by the President.

Section 2: The Treasurer shall have charge of the League's Funds and shall keep a detailed account of income and expenditures thereof.

Section 3: The Treasurer shall submit an Annual Financial Report to the League's Membership.

Section 4: The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and by the By-Laws.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall be elected for a 2 year term.

Article XIV: Registrar

Section 1: The Registrar shall be responsible for maintaining all registered players' and coaches' information, as well as all active rosters of Fall and Spring Season teams.

Section 2: The Registrar shall implement and adhere to the following guidelines for Fall Registration:
a) Registrations Forms will be available and accepted at all January soccer banquets, as well as on the 2nd Saturday of June at both of the Little League fields in Taunton. Additional times and sites may also be scheduled, with notice via mail or local newspaper.

b) Deadline for receipt of registrations will be June 30th. No registrations will be accepted after this deadline for elementary or middle school players, nor for current Pee-Wee players. However, registrations for new Pee-Wee players may be accepted after June 30th if space allows and upon approval by the Board.
c) Registrations will be tracked and prioritized according to date received with payment.
d) Siblings will be placed on the same team when playing within the same division.
e) Every attempt will be made to return players to their previous team within the same division.
f) Players will normally be placed on a team with their school's name (in divisions using school names), following the priority steps of (c) to (e) and provided space is available. Children placed on another team (i.e., not comprised exclusively of their school-mates) due to lack of space in the prior year, will be given the choice of playing on a team with their school's name or returning to their prior year's team, as long as they are registered by June 30th.

Section 3: The Registrar shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and by the By-Laws.

Section 4: The Registrar shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XV: Director of Spring Season

Section 1: The Director of Spring Season shall be responsible for all functions required for the League to participate in the spring South Coastal Soccer League.

Section 2: The Director of Spring Season shall represent the Taunton Youth Soccer League at all South Coastal Soccer Meetings and plan for all Spring Season activities, which may include: scheduling the games, assisting in the registration of players, recruiting coaches, and arranging any needed fund-raising efforts.

Section 3: The Director of Spring Season shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and by the By-Laws.

Section 4: The Director of Spring Season shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XVI: Education Coordinator

Section 1: The Education Coordinator shall be responsible for promoting the game of soccer through learning programs, soccer camps and coaches clinics. The Education Coordinator shall assist the President in discharging his/her duties.
Section 2: The Education Coordinator shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board & By-Laws.

Section 3: The Education Coordinator shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XVII: Equipment & Field Managers

Section 1: The Equipment Manager shall be responsible for all League uniforms and equipment, while the two Field Manager shall be responsible for field conditions.

Section 2: The Equipment and two Field Managers shall ask the President to appoint a committee, when necessary, to assist in caring for the equipment and fields.

Section 3: The Equipment and two Field Managers shall submit, at the Annual League Meeting, a report on either a) inventory on all League Equipment or b) field conditions.

Section 4: The Equipment and two Field Managers shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Board and by the By-Laws.

Section 5: The Equipment and two Field Managers shall each be elected for a term of two (2) years.

Article XVIII: Board of Directors (The Board)

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall have the power to transact all business of the League. It shall be the Board's duty to carry out the Objects and Purpose of the League according to its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

Section 2: The decisions of the Board are final, except where expressly stated otherwise in these By-Laws.

Section 3: The Board membership shall consist of those officers enumerated in Article III, section 2, and the Meetings of the Board membership shall be held at its own discretion, anywhere or anytime.

Section 4: Any Board member who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive meetings, without just cause, may have his/her office declared vacant at the discretion of the Board. A meeting of the full Board shall be held to consider and act on any vacancy in the Board.

Section 5: Except otherwise provided, the President, Vice-President, the General Secretary, and/or any involved Director(s) shall constitute an Emergency Committee on matters that demand immediate attention and where it is impractical to call an Board Meeting, with a minimum of three (3) Board members required for an emergency vote.

Section 6: At least ten (10) stated meetings of the Board shall be held annually; also, a Board meeting shall be called by the President upon the written request of five (5) Coaches, who must allow no less than seven (7) days before the desired meeting and who shall state the object of the meeting in their request.

Article XIX: Membership

Section 1: The General Membership of the League shall consist of Parents/Guardians of a League Player, registered Team Coaches, and Elected League Officers. All have a voice in the making of League policy decisions, by attending any meeting and being allowed to speak on any matter before the Voting Membership or the Board.

Section 2: Voting Membership shall include all Team Coaches - properly registered according to MYSA standards, including Criminal Offender Registry Information (CORI) checks -- and elected League Officers.

Section 3: The Board shall reserve the right to approve or disapprove any individual requesting general or voting membership into the League.

Article XX: Meetings and Elections

Section 1: Annual meeting of the Taunton Youth Soccer League shall be held during the month of December, at which time all elections shall take place with the exception of the Spring Season Director. Election of Spring Season Director shall take place at the first Fall Season meeting. He/She shall assume duties of his/her office immediately upon election.

Section 2: Regular Taunton Youth Soccer League meetings shall be held bi-weekly during the fall soccer season, from the third (3rd) Thursday of August through early November; and on three other occasions, those being the first (1st) Thursday of February, April and June. All meetings shall be attended by members of the league only, with the exception of any person to whom courtesy shall be given by the President.

Article XXI: Meetings and Elections

Section 2.1: Each team shall have a minimum of one (1) member as a representative at league meetings; this may be a coach, an assistant coach, or the parent of a team player.

Section 2.2: Any head coach who is absent from two (2) consecutive league meetings, without just cause and prior notice to the president, may be suspended or have his/her position declared vacant at the discretion of the Board.

Section 3: A minimum of ten (10) members shall constitute a Quorum at each League meeting. All questions, except Amendments to the By-Laws, are decided by a majority of votes cast.

Section 4: The order of business for all Regular League Meetings shall be: a Roll Call of Officers, Minutes of Previous Meeting, Report of the Treasurer, Update by Division and other Directors, Unfinished Business, Reports of Committees, Special Reports and any New Business.

Section 5: At the Annual Meeting, the President, the Middle School Division Director, the Intermediate Division Director, the Elementary Division Director, Education Coordinator, the Registrar, and both Secretaries shall be elected to begin service in office on odd numbered years; the Vice-President, the Girls Division Director, the Pee-Wee Division Director, the Treasurer, the Equipment Manager and the two Fields Managers shall be elected to begin service in office on even numbered years.

Section 6: Upon being elected, the taking of office shall begin on January First following the Annual Meeting for a term of two (2) years. All officers are eligible for re-election

Section 7: An officer may not be elected to serve in two (2) different offices concurrently; however, the Director for Spring League may hold another officer position except that of president.

Section 8: The Taunton Youth Soccer League shall adopt the Robert's Rules of Order for regular league meetings whenever appropriate, except where they are inconsistent with these By-Laws.

Article XXII: Committees

Section 1: The President shall appoint other committees as deemed advisable. The actions and sanctions of all committees shall be subject to the direction and control of the Board.

Section 2: The various committees shall meet at such time and place as the committee shall determine. A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a Quorum.

Article XXIII:
Suspensions and Expulsions

Section 1: Suspension or Expulsion for Reasons Other Than Game Misconduct

Except for reason of game misconduct, which is addressed in Section 2, any member, team, player or coach of the TYSL may be suspended or expelled from any membership by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the Board voting.
(Situations may include the involvement of any member, team, player, or coach with the violation of these By-Laws, Rules of the League, or any procedural standards commonly followed by the Taunton Youth Soccer League, or non-assaultive or non-abusive acts which nonetheless contravene, or are deemed inconsistent with, the principles and standards of good sportsmanship.)

The member, team, player or coach involved shall be notified of the intended action seven (7) days prior to the vote via certified letter and may make a statement to the Board before the resolution is put to a vote. The decision of the Board shall be binding on the member and no reason for the expulsion need be given by the Board to any person other than the member involved and the MYSA.
(a) Appeals to decisions of expulsion or suspension shall be made to the Appeals Committee (an ad-hoc committee which may be appointed by the President as deemed appropriate.)
(b) Suspended or expelled members may apply for re-admission to the League by means of written request to the Board. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board voting is required for a suspended or expelled member to be re-instated to the League.

Section 2: Suspension or Expulsion for Game Misconduct

A. General
Game misconduct may occur before, during or after the match at the location of the match. Misconduct toward game officials, coaches, players or spectators may occur before, during or after the match. Misconduct toward game officials, coaches, players or spectators may also occur during travel to and from the match and at later times when directly related to duties of a game official as a referee or when directly related to the playing of a particular game.

B. Terms and Conditions
(1) "misconduct" includes, but is not limited to, assault and abuse as described below.
(2) "game misconduct" includes but is not limited to, actions other than those of abuse or assault which violate the basic principles of the League regarding sportsmanship and fair play.
(3) "referee" includes the following:
a) All currently registered USSF referees, linesmen, 4th officials or others duly appointed to assist in officiating in a match.
b) Any non-licensed, non-registered person serving in an emergency capacity as a referee.
c) Any club linesmen.
(4) "coach" includes all currently registered team coaches, assistant coaches, managers or trainers.
(5) "player" includes all currently registered persons listed on an official roster as a player on a particular team.
(6) "spectator" includes all parents, relatives or friends of a particular team member who attended a particular game or event involving that team.
(7) "assault" includes, but is not limited to, the following acts: hitting, kicking, punching, choking, spitting at or on, spewing any beverage upon a person, grabbing or bodily running into, the act of throwing an object that could inflict injury, or damaging clothing or personal property.
(8) "abuse" includes, but is not limited to, the following acts: using foul or abusive language, spewing any beverage upon a person's personal property, or verbally threatening another person. Note: Verbal threats are remarks that carry the implied or direct threat of physical harm. Such remarks as "I'll get you after the game" or "You won't get out of here in one piece" are some examples of abuse.

C. Jurisdiction
(1) Assault or Abuse of a Referee: When any player, coach, manager, club official or game official assaults or abuses a referee, the responsibility to adjudicate the matter shall rest with the MYSA, and all pertinent data and evidence shall be immediately given to the MYSA.
(2) Other Assault or Abuse and Game Misconduct: When any player, coach, manager, club official or spectator assaults or abuses another player, coach, manager, club official or spectator or commits an act of game misconduct, the responsibility to adjudicate the matter shall rest with the TYSL.

D. Hearings
Reports of referee assault or abuse shall be made to the MYSA. All other reports of assault or abuse shall be made to the TYSL. The Sportsmanship Review Committee (SRC - an ad-hoc committee which may be appointed by the President as deemed appropriate) shall be the body to hear all reports of assault, abuse or game misconduct and shall make appropriate recommendations to the League Board of Directors.

(1) Assault:
a) When an allegation of assault is verified by the League, the person is automatically suspended until the hearing on the assault.
b) The League must hold a hearing within thirty (30) days of the abuse or assault. If the League does not adjudicate the matter within that time period, the jurisdiction shall immediately vest with the MYSA to adjudicate the matter.
c) Failure to hold the initial hearing shall not rescind the automatic suspension.
(2) Abuse and/or Game Misconduct:
a) In cases of report of abuse or game misconduct, a hearing is held only when requested by the alleged assailant or otherwise deemed appropriate by the League.

E. Penalties and Suspensions
(1) Assault: The player, coach, manager or official committing the assault shall be automatically suspended from the TYSL for a period of at least one (1) year from the time of the assault. If serious injuries were inflicted, the minimum suspension period shall be at least five (5) years. Shorter periods of suspension shall not be provided, but if circumstances warrant, longer suspension periods may be provided.
(2) Abuse: The minimum suspension period for abuse shall be at least two (2) scheduled matches within the League. A match shall count toward the suspension period only if it is actually played. A longer suspension may be provided if circumstances warrant.
(3) Game Misconduct: The minimum suspension period for game misconduct shall be at least one (1) scheduled matches within the League. A match shall count toward the suspension period only if it is actually played. A longer suspension may be provided if circumstances warrant.

F. Appeals
A person who is found to have committed the assault or abuse may appeal to the League's Appeals Committee.

G. Reporting Procedure
(1) Referees reporting an assault or abuse on a referee shall follow USSF Rule 3042.
(2) A person reporting an assault and/or abuse other than a referee assault or abuse shall transmit a written report of the alleged assault and/or abuse, within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident (unless there is a valid reason for later reporting) to the President of the League.
(3) A person reporting an incident of game misconduct shall transmit a written report of the alleged game misconduct within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident (unless there is a valid reason for later reporting) to the President of the League.
(4) The League shall report to the MYSA the final determinations and suspensions resulting from all reports of assault and/or abuse, and game misconduct for which it has adjudication.

Article XXIV: Rules and Regulations

Section 1: Various committees shall, under the direction, control and approval of the Board, prepare and enforce the Rules of Play and Other Regulation of the Game, the use of grounds and any other facilities of the League.

Section 2: All teams within the jurisdiction of the Taunton Youth Soccer League shall play under and abide by the Rules of the Game approved by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) as amended and adopted by the Taunton Youth Soccer League (TYSL).

Section 3: Copies of all rules shall be posted in conspicuous places. The General Secretary shall make available all rules, together with copies of the By-Laws and all future amendments, to members of the League.

Article XXV: Amendments

Section 1: These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed only by the affirmative vote of the full membership of the League being present at the Annual Meeting, or at any special meeting held specifically for By-Laws changes and held prior to March 31st of any given year provided, however, that notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal be contained in a written notice of the meeting to the membership at least one week before said meeting.

Article XXVI: Notices

Section 1: Written or public notices of meetings shall be given. Such notices shall specify the place, the day and date, the hour, and the general nature of the meeting.

Article XXVII: Effective Date

Section 1: These By-Laws shall become effective immediately upon adoption and all previous By-Laws inconsistent with these By-Laws are herewith repealed and amended.